Yanks' Damon's hitting session delayed, Matsui progressing

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon had his first hitting session off a tee pushed back at least a couple days of because of soreness in his injured left shoulder.

Damon sprained the shoulder when he ran into the left-field fence while attempting to catch a ball on July 4.

"Had a little tough time sleeping last night," Damon said after undergoing treatment Monday at the Yankees' minor league complex. "Today it felt a little sore. We're just going to hold back the swinging at least two more days. Hopefully it won't be too long of a time."

Damon, who is hitting .319, is on the disabled list for the first time in his career.

Yankees outfielder-designated hitter Hideki Matsui worked out strictly indoors Monday after taking batting practice on the field the previous two days.

"I think everything is progressing as planned," Matsui said through a translator. "Today I kept the workout and everything light. So far, everything is progressing."

There is no date yet for when Matsui will start a running program, a key step before he can play in minor league rehab games.

"Running, we don't know right now," Matsui said.

Also, Phil Hughes, coming back from a broken rib, threw 25 fastballs during his second bullpen session. He also threw 10 curveballs from halfway up the mound.

Relief pitcher Brian Bruney (foot) started a rehab game for Double-A Trenton, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning against Binghamton. He threw 15 pitches.

Left-hander Eric Milton, recently signed to a minor league contract, is scheduled for his first bullpen session Tuesday. He had elbow ligament replacement surgery in June 2007.